Just days ago we were notified by Vincent Bona, through Social Media of his Father’s passing on May 13, 2026. There will be 2 services- one in San Diego and one in San Mateo.
Thursday June 18th in San Diego
La Mesa at Saint Martin’s church at 10:30 AM.
7710 El Cajon Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942
Followed by a reception at the American Legion VFW
818 University Ave. La Mesa 91942
Wednesday June 24th in San Mateo
The service in the Bay Area will be at St. Bartholomew’s at 10 AM
300 Alameda De las Pulgas. San Mateo 94402.
Philip John Bona, FAIA, had impressive career spanning nearly five decades. A founding member the San Mateo County Chapter in 1983 and over the next 24 years, served in practically every position available in the San Mateo chapter as well as on a myriad of committees and included Chapter President in 2000. From 1983 to 1999 Phil led urban design charettes that became a part of “Housing the Next One Million”.
Phil & Letrice and their family moved to San Diego in 2007 where he continued his work with AIA. Phil became AIA San Diego Chapter President in 2017. He was involved with AIA California for over 18 years and was the California Representative for the AIA National Strategic Council for 5 years and was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in 2021. Please read: AIASMC Congratulates Phil Bona, FAIA 2021 and 2019 AIASD Lifetime Achievemant Award Recipient.
Our apologies- at this time an obituary is not available but we’d like to share from LinkedIn, Phil’s life accomplishments.
Experience
Baucentrum Urban Studio
Self-employed · 6 yrs 7 mos
Fellow of the American Institute of Architects
Dec 2019 – Present · 6 yrs 7 mos
San Diego County, California, United States
Principal Architect & Planner Jan 2021 – Present · 5 yrs 6 mos San Diego County, California, United States
Professional Firm Consultant & Expert Witness
Project Implementation Senior Architect & Planner Apr 2020 – Jan 2022 · 1 yr 10 mos
Planet Earth
Lifetime Achievement Award American Institute of Architects Nov 2019 – Present · 6 yrs 8 mos San Diego
Project Implementation AIA California 18 yrs 8 mos
Member of the Board Jan 2016 – Jan 2022 · 6 yrs 1 mo Greater Sacramento
Elevated to the AIA College of Fellows
American Institute of Architects, Philadelphia Chapter · Self-employed
Apr 2021 – Jan 2022 · 10 mos
California Representative AIA National Strategic Council Jan 2017 – Jan 2022 · 5 yrs 1 mo San Diego California
California Representative to the AIA National Board Strategic Council
AIA San Diego Jan 2018 – Apr 2020 · 2 yrs 4 mos San Diego County, California, United States
Phil was 2017 President of the AIA San Diego Chapter. As Immediate Past President, he was committed to and passionate about the future of Housing the Next 1 Million (HN1M) and alternative housing typologies including ADU’s, modular fabricated component based plug ‘n play dwelling units as part of the new Maker’s Movement.
Senior Architect AVRP Skyport Nov 2017 – Apr 2020 · 2 yrs 6 mos
San Diego County, California, United States
Senior Architect BNIM Architects Aug 2012 – Oct 2017 · 5 yrs 3 mos 795 J Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Architect for Large Commercial, Multi-Family, and Higher Education Design Projects
Architect / Planner Baucentrum Urban Studio Jun 2009 – Jul 2012 · 3 yrs 2 mos San Diego County|
Principle Architect and Urban Designer specializing in Sustainable Urban Design, Planning, BIM/IPD, and Project Management.
Adjunct Professor – Urban Design Studio NewSchool of Architecture & Design Mar 2009 – Jun 2012 · 3 yrs 4 mos
Teaching 4th Year Urban Design, Planning and Architecture Studio in 5 year NAAB Accredited B.Arch Program
Chair San Diego Interest Group buildingSMART alliance 2009 – 2011 · 2 yrs
Asst. VP Architecture & Planning Centre City Development Corporation Jun 2007 – Feb 2009 · 1 yr 9 mos
Urban Planning for the San Diego Redevelopment Agency. Laid off due to budget cuts.
Deputy Master Architect WLC Architects Sep 2002 – Jun 2007 · 4 yrs 10 mos
Phil joined WLC Architects and designed and managed the construction of their Emeryville Office. He served as Deputy Master Architect for the West Contra Costa Unified School District along with the Seville Group Construction Managers in the oversight of the 23 K-12 elementary and middle school projects including program management of 10 Architect of Record firms under contract with the District. He also managed and designed two new Elementary Schools, a new Community College Aquatic Center, a new High School Sports Stadium and Pool Complex, a new Community Adult School, and the reconstruction of 5 other elementary, middle, and high school projects in Northern California. He was also heavily involved in marketing, proposal writing and interviews.
VP Legislative Affairs AIA California Council 2005 – 2007 · 2 yrs
Organized and Managed Livable Communities Advocacy Strategies on behalf of the AIA California Council for the State of California; as well as nationally in support of relevant National Legislation.
Past President + other things
AIA San Mateo County 1983 – 2007 · 24 yrs
Senior Associate
DES Architects + Engineers Feb 1997 – Aug 2002 · 5 yrs 7 mos
As Senior Associate and Senior Project Manager for DES Architects+Engineers, Mr. Bona managed the $56 Million school reconstruction bond program for Redwood City School District Senior Project Architect for the Redwood City School District, which included 13 elementary and middle school campuses providing master planning, programming, design, documents and construction administration for 29 New Buildings and 19 Modernized buildings. He also managed the design and construction of several community colleges, elementary, high school and civic projects and a fire station. He was also heavily involved in proposal writing and interviews.
Principal Baucentrum Architecture Nov 1989 – Feb 1997 · 7 yrs 4 mos
Sole Proprietor and principal of Baucentrum Architecture, Phil managed a firm of up to 8 staff and provided design, documentation and construction administration services to private and public sector clients on single and multifamily residential housing, private K-8 schools, hospital and medical arts, community and correctional facilities, restaurants, office tenant improvements, and warehouse facilities. He also provided property reports, feasibility studies, and hazardous materials environmental management plans. He received an Award of Merit from the AIA for Excellence in Architectural Design for the Historic Renovation of St. Michael’s Hall at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Belmont for the Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco.
Associate
Panko Sinclair Associates 1980 – 1985 · 5 yrs Job Captain, Project Manager
Technical Staff
Gumbinger Associates 1978 – 1980 · 2 yrs
On June 21, 2026 friends and family and a few AIA San Mateo County chapter members gathered to celebrate Phil’s 75th birthday.
Phil had an exemplary lifetime of commitment to the betterment of the architectural profession and the communities it serves.
He will be missed.